The Federal Government, through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), has made significant progress in implementing the Africa Mini-Grids Programme (AMP).
This was highlighted during the Africa Mini-Grids Programme Grant Award Ceremony held in Abuja on Friday, where the official rollout of 23 new mini-grids across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones was announced.
Ranging from 30 kWp to 200 kWp in capacity, these mini-grids aim to expand electricity access in underserved rural communities, providing sustainable energy solutions and improving the quality of life for thousands of Nigerians.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) noted that the AMP, which became operational in 21 countries in 2022, is funded by the Facility and supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Nigeria.
The initiative is set to benefit over 70,000 Nigerians, facilitate more than 600 productive-use connections, and establish over 375 social connections. Additionally, 18 renewable energy developers have been awarded grant agreements totaling $5.91 million.
The statement highlighted that since AMP’s activation, the REA has collaborated closely with the GEF, UNDP, the Federal Ministry of Environment, and other key stakeholders in the energy sector to advance community-focused objectives.
“The GEF-funded AMP has provided an opportunity to examine rural agricultural value chains while creating a pathway for accelerated and sustainable energy access in last-mile communities across Nigeria,” the statement read.
The AMP Grant Award Ceremony marked the official launch of 23 additional mini-grids, with a focus on supporting agricultural activities such as grain and non-grain processing, value addition for cash crops, and cold storage solutions to reduce post-harvest losses.
The GEF Operational Focal Person, Mr. Stanley Jonah, emphasized the programme’s transformative impact, stating that its completion would not only strengthen the agricultural value chain but also improve the overall well-being of rural communities.
Similarly, the Managing Director of the REA, Abba Aliyu, underscored the Federal Government’s commitment to decentralized renewable energy solutions as a driver of economic growth, particularly in the agricultural sector.
He noted that the AMP would go beyond powering homes, stimulating business growth, fostering innovation, generating employment, and reducing energy poverty nationwide.
With a 48-month implementation timeline, the AMP-funded mini-grids are expected to accelerate access to sustainable, energy-efficient infrastructure for smallholder farmers, enhance the financial viability of mini-grids, and attract scaled-up commercial investment in Nigeria’s renewable energy sector.
